When it comes to online etiquette, you can never be too cautious. Fortunately, this short guide will help you perfect your prowess in the virtual sphere.
Virtual meetings
Firstly, be punctual – joining meetings a few minutes early if possible. Secondly, dress appropriately. If you’re feeling lazy you can look smart on your top half as a minimum. Before the meeting begins, make sure you’re prepared: check your mic, camera and internet connection. And finally, mute when you’re not speaking! This prevents background noise from disrupting the conversation, because no one wants to hear your dog barking at the postman.
Messaging apps
While they are a casual space, courtesy still counts, especially in group chats. Rule one: don’t spam. Flooding chats with forwards, memes or unnecessary messages will irritate anyone who isn’t in your immediate friend or family circle. Also, avoid messaging late at night or early morning unless it’s urgent, and use emojis and tone carefully because text lacks nuance. If you’re in a situation where things have got a bit heated or off topic, remind members of the purpose of the group and suggest they move to a personal chat.
It is important to be aware of how many people may be reading your messages, so always be vigilant! There are safeguarding options in place on many of these apps, such as blocking inappropriate websites and images. You can also set messages to delete after a certain period of time, though bear in mind that this will often delete them for everyone, and if you are not an admin it can be interpreted as bad manners.
Finally, don’t add anyone to a group without their permission and definitely don’t be offended when people start abandoning ‘Dave’s 50th booze up’ group six months after the event.
Social media
Whether you’re posting, commenting or messaging, always think before you act! Avoid sharing misinformation, offensive content or overly personal details, and respect the privacy of others. For instance, don’t tag people in photos or posts without their permission. Finally, keep it civil. Disagreeing is fine – being rude isn’t.
